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Family secrets -- Fiction Books
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Emile Gaboriau
File No. 113
"File No. 113" by Emile Gaboriau is a detective novel set in mid-19th century Paris. The story centers on a mysterious robbery at the bank of M. Andre Fauvel, where a significant sum of three hundred and fifty thousand francs has vanished without a trace. As the investigation unfolds, the primary suspect emerges as Prosper Bertomy, the bank’s head cashier, leading to a tense exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice. The opening of the novel introduces the aftermath of the robbery, revealing the chaotic confusion in the bank, where clerks react in disbelief as Prosper announces the loss. The narrative also highlights the dynamics between Prosper and his employer, M. Fauvel, as suspicion begins to cloud the atmosphere. As the police become involved, a public spectacle arises around the crime, with Prosper grappling not only with his innocence but also with his own tumultuous feelings, especially when a love interest, Nina Gypsy, becomes involved. This intricate setup foreshadows a gripping tale of intrigue, as the motives behind the theft come into question and the stakes grow ever higher.
Benito Pérez Galdós
El abuelo (Novela en cinco jornadas)
"El abuelo (Novela en cinco jornadas)" by Benito Pérez Galdós is a novel published in 1897. Count Albrit returns from Peru to Spain, impoverished and nearly blind, only to discover a shocking family secret: one of his two granddaughters is illegitimate. Determined to identify his true blood heir, the proud aristocrat embarks on a painful quest that will challenge everything he believes about honor, lineage, and family. What he ultimately discovers transforms his understanding of what truly matters in life.
Gaston Leroux
La Poupée Sanglante
"La Poupée Sanglante" by Gaston Leroux is a fantastical novel published in 1923. Christine, daughter of a clockmaker, possesses an automaton named Gabriel and is engaged to scientist Jacques Cotentin. Her neighbor, the physically disfigured bookbinder and poet Bénédict Masson, observes a mysterious young man of perfect appearance visiting her. One night, he overhears Christine pleading with her father not to kill "him." Though inspired by Hoffmann's tales and filled with strange occurrences, the story's conclusion offers rational explanations for the seemingly supernatural events.
J. B. (John Boynton) Priestley
Benighted
"Benighted" by J. B. Priestley is a novel published in 1927. When travelers seek refuge in an old Welsh country house during a storm, they encounter a family harboring dark secrets. Set in post-First World War Britain, the novel explores the era's pervasive disillusionment through characters Priestley described as "forms of postwar pessimism pretending to be people." Drawing on gothic literary traditions and inspired by "Jane Eyre," this atmospheric tale places ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances where hidden truths await discovery.
Natalie Sumner Lincoln
The Cat's Paw
"The Cat's Paw" by Natalie Sumner Lincoln is a novel written in the early 20th century. This mystery centers around the sudden death of Miss Susan Baird, an elderly woman whose demise becomes a subject of intrigue and suspicion. The primary characters include her niece Kitty Baird and Major Leigh Wallace, who are entangled in the complexities of family dynamics and potential motives surrounding her death. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Miss Susan Baird and her niece Kitty as tensions arise over Kitty's romantic entanglements. The narrative quickly escalates when Miss Baird is found dead in their home, leading to an investigation that suggests foul play may be involved, despite initial theories of suicide. As the story unfolds, characters such as Dr. Leonard McLean and Inspector Mitchell are drawn into the mystery, seeking to unravel the web of secrets surrounding the Baird household while also considering the dynamics of Kitty's relationships with the men in her life.
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